Apparatus for storing fluid under pressure



Nov.v 2o, 192s.

L. J. LE' MESURIER APPARATUS FOR ToRING FLUID UNDERPRESSURE Filed July 2O,I 1925 Patented Nev. 2o, 1928.

` UNITED STATES LOUIS JOHN LE MESURIER, QF BELMONT, ENGLAND.'

APPARATUS FOR STORING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE.

Application led July 20, 1925, Serial No 44,953, and in Great Britain-December 30, 1924.

This invention relates vto apparatus for storing fluid under pressure and has for its main object the provision f an improved form of apparatus for storing fluid at high pressure or at two or more different pressures.

A further object is to provide a durable and reliable apparatus for storing fluid, such as air, under pressure, which apparatus is less expensive to install than t-he devices now in common use.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the above described character which greatly conserves the space necessary for installations of this character.

A further object is to provide in a device for storing fluid at high pressure or at two or more different pressures, an automatic pressure regulation whereby the stored fluid is maintained at a constant predetermined pressure in the apparatus and whereby a constant predetermined difference may-be maintained between the fiuids stored at different ly or wholly within a reservoir adapted tocontain fluid at a relativel low pressure. In this way the walls of each igh pressure reservoir which lie within the low pressure reservoir are subjected only to the difference of fluid pressure between the two reservoirs and thus need not be of such strength as has hitherto been necessary. Thus, where it has previously been necessary to make high pressure fluid reservoirs in the form of solid forged or, drawn steel bottles, it may be sufficient with lapparatus according to this invention to build them up from steel orother metal plates in a manner vpreviously employed only for relatively low pressure reservoirs.

The invention is particularly applicable to apparatus for storing fluid at two or more different pressures -in which all the reservoirs contain the same fluid, for example compressed air, for use in the starting and operation of the engines of a motor ship. In such apparatus an automatic pressure reducing valve may be provided between the high and a low pressure reservoirs so as to revent the difference between the high an low pressures exceeding a predetermined limit and so as to maintain a substantially constant difference between these pressures. This valve is conveniently disposed outside the l0w.pres sure reservoir and connected thereto and to` the high pressure reservoir by suitable pipes or thelike so as to facilitate inspection and adjustment fo the valve. A similar arrangement may also be employed where different fluids are contained in the two reservoirs, the pressure reducing'valve in this case being adapted to open only in case of emergency, soy as to act as a safety valve, and not being operative for slight pressure variations-such as might occur in the normal working of the apparatus. In either case either or both of the high and-low pressure reservoirs may be provided with a safety valve adapted to, open so as to permit escape of iuidv to the latmosphere when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit. Where a relief valve between the two reservoirs is employed, this valve is convenientl so setthat when the maximum' pressure di ference between the two reservoirs isexceeded the valve will lift and allow fluid to ass from the inner to the outer reservoir. T us,'when charging, assuming both reservoirs to be empty,.the compressor or the like will deliver fluid to the inner reservoir until the" pressure therein reaches the same value as the maximum pressure difference at which the two reservoirsare designed to operate. The relief valve will then open so as to deliver the surplus Huid into the outer reservoir so that the pressures, in thetwo reservoirs will then rise simultaneousl while maintaining a constant pressure iierence between them. Similarly, when disehargin from the outer reservoir the same pressure iierence will be maintained since when the'pressure in the outer reservoir drops due to Huid being drawn oi therefrom the relief valve between the two l reservoirs will open and permit some of the fluid to kescape from the inner reservoir to the outer reservoir until the desired pressure difference is again established.

Alternatively, or in addition to arelef valve between the two reservoirs, a valve may be provided adapted to establish communication between the reservoirs when the ressure in the low ressure reservoir drops low a. certain pre etermined value. With this arrangement, supposing both the reservolrs to befempty, the valve will be open and when compressed fluid -is delivered it will thus pass close and thereafter fluid will only be delivered to the inner reservoir `until its maximum working pressure 1s reached. The predetermined pressure for the outer reservoir at which the communicating valve closes is convenient-ly the maximum pressure under which this reservoir is intended to work.

With this arrangement, when discharging l fromthe low pressure reservoir, as soon as any fluid ls'drawn off, the pressure 1n the low pressure reservoir drops below the predetermined value and `the communicating valve opens to admit fluid from the high pressure reservoir iintil the predetermined pressure is again established in the low pressure reservoir. This sequence of operation continues until if no more fluid is delivered to the' high pressure reservoir the pressure in the high pressure reservoir has dropped to the same pressure as the low pressure reservoir. when, there being Vno more high pressure fluid to bring the pressure in the low pressure reservoir up to the predetermined pressure, the preure -in the low pressure reservoir remains below 'such predetermined pressure and the communicating valve thus remains open, so that fluid is drawn off from both reservoirs simultaneously until all the fluid in both reservoirs is exhausted.

The communicating valve may be controlled by a spring-controlled diaphragm or the like subjected to the pressure in the low pressure reservoir. lVith such an arrangement, however, if, as is preferable, a valve of comparatively large size is employed, the

action of the high pressure fluid on one side thereof will appreciable affect the pressure at Awhich it opens. To avoid this the valve is convenient-ly not directly controlled by the pressure in the low 'pressure reservoir but is '45 connected to a piston adapted to be acted upon bv high pressure fluid delivered through a subsidiary relay va lve which is of relatively small size and is connected to av spring-con- 56 trolled diaphragm or the like subjected to the pressure in the low pressure reservoir. One side of the piston controlling the main valve is convenientlysubje'cted to the pressure in the low ressure'reservoir, a small leak being provided) through the piston wherebv when the high pressure fluid ceases to be delivered, behind the piston by the relay valve, the pressure on the two sides of the piston will auttunatically become equal and the valveV controlled thereby will be closed bv a spring or the like. Y

The invention may be applied to apparatus in which fluid is stored at more than two pressures, and in this case the reservoirs may apparatus employing one system JAof' reliefvalves,

Figure 2 1s a frontelevation partly 1n section of the apparatus shown 1n Figure l, and

Figurer?) is a diagrammatic View of an' alternative system of relief valves which may be employed.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 the low pressure `reservoir is in the form of a cylindrical shell 1() built up from a series of steel plates and closed at its ends by suitable curved end caps 11 and 12. Supportedyeccentrically wit-hin the low pressure reservoir by means of lugs 13 and bolts 14 is a high pressure reservoir 15 which is built up from metal plates in a similar manner to the low pressure reservoir 10 and is of such dimensions yas to leave the desired space for the low pressure air between it-s walls and those of-the low pressure reservoir 10.` Provided in the ends of the high and low pressure reservoir are respectively man holes 16 and 17.

Mounted in the end 11 of the low pressure reservoir 10 is a union 18 one branch 20 of which leads through the low pressure reservoir into the high pressure reservoir while the other branches are connected respectively to a ipe 21 through which compressed air is supp ied from the compressor or the like and to a pipe-22 leading to the high pressure side of a pressure reducing valve 23. IThe reliet1 side of the pressure reducing valve 23 is connected through a pipe 24 to the high pressure side of a second relief valve 25 which also'communicates through a pipe 26 with the low pressure reservoir 10.

It will thus be seen that the valve 23 willy open if and when the dilerence in pressure between the high and low pressure reservoirs reaches or exceeds a redetermined limit so as to permit some of t e air in the high pressure reservoir to escape into the low pressure reservoir while, 1f the .pressure in the low pressure reservoir exceeds a predetermined limit, the relief valve 25.will open and permit escape of the surplus fluid to the atmos here. v

Tius the low pressure reservoir is automatically supplied with air through the valve 23 and is maintained at the correct pressure relatively to the pressure in the high pressure reservoir. High pressure air may be drawn oil' through the pipe 21 while low pressure air can be drawn olf through a pipe or outlet 27 connected to the pi e 24.

The pipe 20 is preferably nt substantially as shown in the drawings so as to a1- low a certain degree of flexibility between the high and low pressure reservoirs and allow a clear passage between the two man holes 16 and 17.

In the system of relief valves diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2 a relief valve 28 controlled by a spring 30 is adapted to be opened by air pressurel admitted from the high pressure reservoir y15 behind a piston 31 disposed in a'cylinder 32. The valve when opened permits air topass from a pipe or housing 33 communicating with the high preure reservoir to-a pipe 34 communicat- 1ng with the low preure reservoir. The delivery of high pressure air behind the piston 31 is controlled by a relay valve 35 which is controlled jointly by springs '36, 37 and a diaphragm 38 joined to valve l35, and arranged in ahousing 40 open 'to the atmosphere through port 41, the diaphragm being thus subjected to the pressure in the low pressure reservoir. The arrangement is such that, when the air in the low pressure reservoir drops below a certain predetermined pressure the relay valve 35 opens and 'admits hi gh pressure air to a. pipe 42 communicating with the backof the piston 31. The piston 41 is' thus moved to open the main valve 28 so as to admit air from the high to the low pressure reservoir. The piston 31 is provided with a small leak 43 so that when the relay valve 35 closes due to the pressure in the low pressure reservoir again reaching the predetermined value, the high pressure air will pass through the piston 31 and permit this piston to move so as to close the mam valve 28. In addition to the relay valve 35 a re lief valve 44 the sides of which are subjected respectively to the high andlow pressures may be'provided adapted to open so as to admit high ressure air behind the plston 31 through t e pi 42 and thus open the valve 28 if the dilefience in pressure inthe two reservoirs exceeds a predetermined value.

With the arrangement shown in Figure 3, it will be seen that whenever the pressure in the low pressure reservoir drops below the predetermined value, the relay valve 35 will open and thus bring about the openmg of the main valve 28. This permits high pressure air to flow into the low pressure re'servoir until the predetermined pressure 1s 'again built up, when the relay valve and main valves will automatically close. Further, when the pressure in the high pressure reservoir is below the predetermlned pressure for the low ressure reservoir, the valves 35 and 28 will permanently open so that kall the air can be drawn from bothreservoirs without providing a special delivery pipe `when charging as throughv pipe 45, it enables both reservoirs to becharged simultaneously` lfrom the-high pressure reservoir; Further, I

until the predetermined pressure is reachedv I and only after thisis the additionall pressure built up in the high pressure reservoir. An additional advantage of this" system is that the relay valve 35 is more" sensitive than.

would be a large relief valve controlled only by a spring thus ensuring that the main're-y at the correct y lief valve .28 will be opened pressure. f f Instead of the high pjessure reservoir be ing disposed wholly within the low pressure f reservoir the two reservoirs' may have a common end (not shown) made of such strength as s to withstand the higher pressure, the high pressure reservoir being only partly within the low pressure reservoir in this construction. Further, more than one high pressure reservoir may be disposed within the low pressure reservoir or the air or other fluid may be stored at more than two pressures the reservoirs being arranged one inside the other with the centre one containing the fluid at the highest pressure and the outside one containing the fluid at the lowest pressure.

The invention may be'applied to apparatus in which only high pressure or only low` prcs- ,sure air or other fluid is required or Where fluid of both pressures is employed. Where only low pressure fluid is required this invention enables the space necessary to accommodate storage reservoirs to be reduced, since the high pressure reservoir is disposed within the low pressure reservoir. Further, it permits high pressure lluiclto be drawn olf direct if required. Where only high pressure fluid is required it enables the reservoirs to be built up of steel or other metal plates and to be of much larger size and more cheaply produced than is possible with the forged or 'drawn steel air bott-.lcs hitherto employed, since the walls of the high pressure reservoir have only to be of suthcient strength .to withstand the difference between the pressures of v`the fluid in the two reservoirs.

n is to be understood that, although uwy invention has been particularly described with reference to apparatus for storingl air" for use in the starting and operation of the engines of a motor ship, it may be employed for other purposes and for Storing under pressure fluids other than-air, the details of construction being varied to suit the purpose for which the apparatus is intended.

I claim: i

1. In apparatus for storing 'fluid under` voirs including a main valve, a piston controllin s aid valve, and means operable to admit uid at the pressure of the second reservoir behind the (piston to thereby open the main valve upon ecrease of pressure in the I first reservoir.

Q. In apparatus for storin fluid under pressure, in combination wit a reservoir adapted vto contain fluid under pressure, a reservoir disposed within the first reservoir .and subjected to the pressure of the fluid therein and ada ted to contain fluid at a,

higher pressure t an thatin the first reserand adapted to contain fluid at a higher presu trolled by a diaphra able upon lowering o the pressure in the rst reservoir to admit fluid at the pressure of the voir, a connection between said reservoirs including a main valve, and a relay valve conor the like and o erfluid under sure than that in the first reservoir, a spring controlled piston normally subjected to the pressure of the first reservoir, a leak thru said piston, and a`re1ay valve controlled by adiaphragm or the like and operable upon lowering of the pressure in said first reserv voir to admit fluid at the pressure of the second reservoir to said piston to o en said' main valve, said leak permitting" t e high pressure fluid to `ass thru said piston and the main valve to c ose under the action of its spring `upon closing of said relay valve. y

4. In apparatus for storin pressure, 1n combination wit a reservoir adapted to contain fluid un'derpressure, .a reservoir dis sed within the first reservoir and subjec to the pressure '.of the fluid therein and ada ted to contain fluid at a higher ressure anthat in the first reservo1r, an a connection between said reservoirs including a main valve, U l said valve, means operable to admit fluid at the pressure of the lsecond reservoir behind the piston to thereby open the main valve upon decrease of pressurel in the first reservoir, and a relief valve operable upon an increase of the pressure differentml between said reservoirs to admit the high pressure fluid to the piston to thereby open said main valvel` between said reservoirs.

5. In an apparatus for storing fluid under pressure, the combination with a reservoir.

a reservoir fluid under a piston controlling adapted to contain fluid under pressure, of a reservoir disposed within the first named reservoir and adapted to contain fluid at a higher pressure than that in the first named reservoir, whereby the inner reservoir is'subjected to the pressure of the fluid in the outer reservoir thereby to artially counter-'balance` the pressure of the uid contained therein, a

yconnection between said reservoirs including an automatic pressure reducing valve and a piston controlled relief valve, said relief valve reservoir, whereby the inner `reservoir is subj ected to the pressure of the fluid in the outer 'reservoir thereby to partially counter-balance the ressure of the fluid contained therein, A

the ower pressure reservoir being provided with an automatic relief valve adapted to permit the escape of fluid if the pressure therein exceed a predetermined limit. u

, 7. In an apparatus for storing fluid under pressure, the combination with a reservoir adapted to contain fluid under pressure, of a reservoir disposed within the first `named reservoir and adaptedy to contain fluid at a higher pressure thafn that in the first named reservoir, whereby the inner reservoir is sub-l jected to the pressure of the fluid in the outer reservoir thereby to artially counter-b alance the pressure of the d, connection between said reservoirs operable to establish communication therebetween,

andmeans to maintain a constant pressure differential between the reservoirs.

8.y In an apparatus for storing fluid under pressure, the combination with a reservoir adapted to contain fluid under pressure, of a reservoir disposed within the first named reservoir and adapted to contain fluidV at a higher pressure than that in the first named reservoir, whereby the inner reservoir is subjected to the pressure of the fluid in the outer reservoir thereby to partially counter-balance the pressure ,of the fluid contained therein, and automatic means to maintain a constant pressure dierential between said reservoirs. Signed at New York, New York, this 27th day of June, 1925. i

LOUIS J. LE MESURIER.

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